Chapter 33: The Human God’s Maneuvering This Time

Due to Rudeus being weakened and losing control compared to the main storyline, he never clashed with Luke. Consequently, Luke was removed from the list of potential apostles.

Since Auber had abandoned the underworld, the Three Swordsmen could not be recruited by the First Prince's faction. To circumvent this, the Human God manipulated Darius into threatening Pilemon and, through Wii Taa, successfully hired the Three Swordsmen. However, this plan backfired: it became the catalyst for Luke's reconciliation, and Auber ultimately outmaneuvered Darius, leading to the latter's downfall.

Reida’s path largely followed the original story. However, with Auber—who was supposed to handle the dirty work—having died as a swordsman, she was forced to take on all the operations herself. This burden left her mentally fragile and indecisive, resulting in a crushing defeat.

With none of his key plans in Asura succeeding, the Human God grew desperate and began creating apostles around Sharia instead. He worked behind the scenes during the Kingdom Arc, focusing on building their loyalty. Thanks in part to support from Edith, the green-haired envoy, he succeeded in recruiting the North Saint and the Milis Knight Order. Had it not been for Zanoba’s intervention, Edith would have been killed.

#A Return to Everyday Life

The next day, Mother Sylphy gave Father a letter to deliver upon his return to Asura.

It was a letter of resignation addressed to Her Majesty Ariel, who was now secure on the throne. Having served her lord for eight years while grappling with her dual roles as both a protector and Father’s wife, Mother Sylphy had decided to step down from her guard duties, using the resolution of the political conflict as her opportunity to do so.

I wondered if it was right for a formal letter to stand between her and Her Majesty—her closest friend and mutual support since they had both lost their parents in the disaster—all because of me. Yet she only smiled, assuring me they would meet again, and gently patted my head.

A little over ten days later, Father and the others returned from the Kingdom of Asura.

Their return was remarkably swift. As I accepted a gift from him—a storybook from Asura—I asked how they had managed it. As usual, Father had accomplished something incredible: he had borrowed the secret arts of the great hero, the Dragon King Pelgius.

The story he recounted was nothing short of dramatic. At the outset of the journey, clashing motives and circumstances fueled deep distrust among the party. In the midst of this tension, the Northern God’s Three Swordsmen—the tengu Auber, the zashiki-warashi Wii Taa, and the twin rabbits of the Nuckelgard—launched a full-scale attack.

After a fierce battle, they defeated the Nuckelgard elder and drove off the Three Swordsmen. It was then revealed that the orders for the attack had come from the head of the Notos main family, Pilemon, who was supposed to be supporting Her Majesty Ariel.

The betrayal by the Notos family, the main branch connected to our own Greyrat lineage, left Her Majesty Ariel to face the crisis alone. Though Lord Luke, the second son of the main family (my great-uncle, though he said I could call him 'uncle'), initially lost his composure, he ultimately reconciled with Father. The group’s unity was cemented when they spared the life of the family head, Great-Uncle Pilemon.

While passing through a border region teeming with assassins, they rescued the daughter of a noble family. She had been reduced to banditry by Darius, an apostle of the Human God. They brought her bandit group under their control and, under cover of darkness, managed to infiltrate the heart of Asura.

Along the way, they visited the Fittoa Territory—the homeland of Father and Mother Sylphy, and also a second home for Mother Roxy. Reconstruction was progressing, and the region was beginning to regain its former vitality. Father said that perhaps, within my lifetime, I might even see the golden wheat fields he remembered.

Upon reaching the royal capital, they stormed Great-Uncle Pilemon’s estate, culminating in a deadly battle with Auber. Father’s expression grew melancholic as he described Auber’s final moments.

After the fight, they successfully persuaded both Wii Taa and Great-Uncle Pilemon to join their side. Empowered by this, Her Majesty Ariel defeated her political rivals—including her elder brother and the apostles Darius and the Water God—in a single decisive stroke.

I was profoundly relieved to hear they had achieved victory without a single loss against formidable foes like Auber and the Water God, and had reconciled with the Notos main family. The feud that began in Grandfather Paulo’s time, which had effectively made the main family our enemies, was finally repaired through the efforts of Father and Uncle Luke.

Bloodline disputes often end in catastrophic bloodshed; although Grandfather did not live to see it, a reconciliation without loss of life is the best outcome one could hope for.

Incidentally, when Father returned home this second time, I found him fondling Mother Roxy’s navel.

Mother Roxy had been self-conscious because her navel had become more prominent during her pregnancy. I had advised her it was unwise to show it, as Father would only be overjoyed and bother her… and indeed, that is precisely what happened. I could only hope his attentions would not place too much of a burden on Mother Roxy or the child. Still, perhaps she needed to hear his reassurance directly to feel at ease. I quietly left the room to give them their privacy.

That evening, I was washing Mother Eris’s back after she returned home.

In my previous life, I never had the strength to even soak in a bath, let alone wash a parent’s back—more often than not, I was the one being cleaned. To be able to share a bath with Mother Eris and perform this simple duty for her now is a profound happiness.

"Edith, I’ve avenged Grandfather Sauros," she said.

"Yes, Mother Eris. That was Darius, one of the apostles, wasn’t it? Finally, Ghislaine can rest a little easier, I think."

"I’m not entirely confident… I still let one of those responsible share the burden lightly."

"You mean Great-Uncle Pilemon? I heard that Wii Taa, who was his guard, is now serving Her Majesty Ariel as well. I believe Ghislaine will understand."

"That’s true… she isn’t the type to dwell on vengeance.
…Oh, that reminds me! Speaking of Wii Taa, Edith, he said he wants you as his disciple!"

"Really!?"

"Yes. Since he was Auber’s fellow disciple, he wants to ensure the Northern God style continues. When you meet him, be sure to mind your manners!"

"A fellow disciple… So Auber's sword style, the unorthodox faction, will live on. That’s a relief…! I understand, Mother Eris. I will devote myself wholeheartedly to earn my place in the Northern God style!"

Wii Taa was a formidable warrior, having cornered Ghislaine twice. If he continues the unorthodox faction while serving Her Majesty Ariel, there is no risk of the style being lost or absorbed by another school.

The Water God escaped execution, and Lady Isolde also entered Her Majesty Ariel’s service.

The outcome was far bloodier than we had hoped—or rather, it remained far less bloody than we had feared. No doubt there were many precarious moments along the way. It is only thanks to Father and everyone’s mutual trust and wholehearted effort that we now enjoy this peace.

"The wound you received from the North Saint… it’s still there, isn’t it?" Mother Eris murmured.

"I probably left it untreated for too long before Lord Cliff could heal it. But it’s a frontal scar, Mother Eris—a mark like this is more of a badge of honor!"

She reached out and gently brushed the scar with an apologetic expression.

It’s true that a stabbing scar on one’s face isn’t something any woman would welcome—but I was originally male, and in this life, I remain an abomination of sorts. Compared to that, my gender matters little; there are far more significant concerns than a mere scar.

"I will become stronger, so I won’t worry you again. Please don’t worry, Mother!"

"Yes… perhaps it’s selfish, but it’s okay to take things more slowly, Edith. Sylphy said the same—your mother will protect you, as well as Lucy and the others."